Champagne

Champagne is a sparkling wine produced from the Champagne region grape grown in France.

Vintage Champagne: made exclusively from grapes grown in a single year, this is produced only in the best years, and is released at about six years of age.

Non-Vintage Champagne: most of the Champagne produced today is Non-Vintage, comprising the blended product of grapes from multiple vintages.

Rosé Champagne: typically light in colour, rosé Champagne is produced either by leaving the clear juice of black grapes to macerate on its skins for a brief time (known as saignée), or by adding a small amount of Pinot Noir red wine to the sparkling wine cuvée.

Recently Disgorged Champagne: R.D. (Recently Disgorged) style was introduced for the first time by Madame Bollinger in 1961, on the 1952 Bollinger Grande Année vintage. Late disgorgement allows the Champagne to retain its freshness, vivacity and fruity expression, despite the ageing.

Blanc de Blancs Champagne: Blanc de Blancs denotes a Champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes.

Blanc de Noirs Champagne: Blanc de Noir Champagnes are made exclusively from black grapes, Pinot Noir (typically) and Pinot Meunier grapes. Bollinger's prestige cuvée Vieilles Vignes Françaises is the lead example.